The Houston Rockets are holding nothing back in their attempt to sign superstar free agent Dwight Howard. Although the Los Angeles Lakers have been extremely aggressive in pursuit of Howard, the Rockets are the clear favorite at this point in time with the team pulling out all the stops to land the leag’es best center.

One move that may intrigue Howard to sign with the Rockets long-term is Houston potentially going after veteran Manu Ginobili in free agency according to Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio:

League sources speculate guard Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs) could be an option for the Rockets later in free agency.

The San Antonio Spurs are coming off another brilliant season of exceeding expectations while reaching the NBA Finals. Even though the Miami Heat proved to be too much to handle during the series with the Spurs, San Antonio proved that Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Ginobili may have something left in the tank as a trio.

Although the Spurs may decide to keep the core intact for at least one more season, Ginobili might be the most expendable of the three in San Antonio. Ginobili is currently an unrestricted free agent and may draw interest around the league with the Rockets prepared to make a run at the three-time NBA champion.

During the Finals, Ginobili clearly wasn’t the same player and may have cost the storied franchise a fifth NBA title with some questionable plays in Game 6 and Game 7. Despite that being the case, the Argentine guard still has considerable value and may be a perfect fit in Houston along with James Harden and Howard.

he's injury prone and did suck in the finals, but I'd so take him as a Laker. One of my favorite players

"The first time I ever saw my uniform hanging in the locker I put it on right away, and it just felt like I was putting on golden armour. From that day forward, I just called it 'the golden armour', it just felt like there was something mystical and magical about it" - Kobe Bryant.

^ he's awesome lolHe's as fun to watch (to me) as almost any player in the league. And when he's on his game he's really a difference maker. Lately that's been a big if though. I don't know, I can't imagine playing anywhere that isn't SA, or under any coach that isn't Pop, but here we are. He has to go somewhere, and as a competitive player, he's going to want to go somewhere he can compete for something. He's probably going to be cheap. I like him

"The first time I ever saw my uniform hanging in the locker I put it on right away, and it just felt like I was putting on golden armour. From that day forward, I just called it 'the golden armour', it just felt like there was something mystical and magical about it" - Kobe Bryant.

Reallyyyy starting to question Spurs management....First giving Splitter that RIDICULOUS contract that will pay 4 yrs 36M....now giving Manu 2 yrs 14M? The money that they paid these guys coulda gone towards a way better player like Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, or even BOTH of them....i dunno I'm shocked at the Spurs decision making this summer. They're making very bad decisions.

KareemTheGreat33 wrote:Do what the Lakers do with their FAs... tells player look around and bring us what other teams are offering and we will match it or let you walk. Feel the market. Don't reward mediocrity.

This. The Lakers might have a lot of money and they might use that money, but they won't do it for no reason. There's no chance his market value was 7 million dollars. No chance. Ginobili isn't a seat filler anywhere but San Antonio and his play doesn't warrant that kind of money.

KareemTheGreat33 wrote:Do what the Lakers do with their FAs... tells player look around and bring us what other teams are offering and we will match it or let you walk. Feel the market. Don't reward mediocrity.

This. The Lakers might have a lot of money and they might use that money, but they won't do it for no reason. There's no chance his market value was 7 million dollars. No chance. Ginobili isn't a seat filler anywhere but San Antonio and his play doesn't warrant that kind of money.

What a stupid contract.

its not that bad contract...its only for 2 years...i know he played bad in finals but he is still very good player and no way he should get less than korver or some budinger...real head scratcher is tiago...

No it's a bad contract. I don't think he's worth 7 million dollars for 2 years total. The dude doesn't play very much every year, he makes continually bad decisions, and he nearly single handedly lost the Finals.

believe me some teams would...when players like webster,budinger or tiago are geting same or similar amount of money i dont doubt somebody would pay 7mil...plus who they could get for that kind money that wouldv be upgrade over manu...its short contract and they can easily move him next year if they want...

7 million dollars per year for a guy that absolutely vanished in the Finals and is injured half the time? I think SA's lost if with this one and the Splitter move, it's sometimes smart to keep a core together, but they just kept theirs together two years too long. The Thunder will be better next season simply by having Wedtbrook back, Memphis and GS aren't going anywhere, and the Spurs just get older. Manu has been great for them, but wow, 2 years 14 mil after those playoffs?